NORRISTOWN — It wasn’t as flashy as a Hollywood premiere, but Montgomery County officials gushed with excitement nonetheless at the unveiling of a television documentary highlighting the historic courthouse.

“We’re excited to present to you for the first time a Hollywood hit,” joked county Commissioners’ Chairman Josh Shapiro, eliciting laughter from a few dozen spectators who attended the lunchtime screening of the documentary currently airing on the Pennsylvania Cable Network. “We’re really proud of our county history and our rich heritage.”

There was a red carpet — if one counted the carpet that decorates the county’s ceremonial courtroom where the event was held.

“It’s like being on the red carpet,” Jessica Willingham, public relations coordinator for the county, smiled brightly as she and Senior Judge William T. Nicholas greeted some of the guests to the courtroom. “I think it’s an exciting opportunity to show some Montco pride for all of the employees here and get to see their workplace on the big screen.”

That “big screen” actually was an 87-inch portable SMART Board, part of the county’s technological courtroom arsenal. But attentive spectators didn’t seem to mind the absence of a movie theater-size screen or the lack of cushy seats with cup holders.

“I’m sorry we don’t have popcorn,” quipped Nicholas, who served as the guide through the county’s halls of justice in the documentary.

No one knows the county’s rich history better than Nicholas, who, along with Shapiro, was shadowed by a television camera crew from PCN in May when the documentary was filmed.

“This was really a neat experience for us to talk about our courthouse. I think we’re all proud of this building that we’re privileged to work in,” said Nicholas, whom Shapiro called “a treasure” to the county for his wealth of historical knowledge.

The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania teamed up with PCN, a state public affairs network, for “Pennsylvania’s Historic Courthouses,” a special PCN five-part series featuring video tours of several of the state’s historic county courthouses. Members of the association selected the courthouses to be highlighted.

The show, which was broadcast this month, highlights the history and beauty of the courthouse, as well as the works of art that adorn its interior.

County residents can view the program online at PCN’s website at www.pcntv.com

Willingham, who accompanied PCN during the filming, said the program offers the county “a tremendous opportunity” to introduce the beautiful art and architecture of the courthouse to residents statewide.

“I hope that they see the rich history of Montgomery County and are able to tie it into the larger historical picture of Pennsylvania and the country as a whole,” said Willingham, referring to the region’s history. “We’re really happy to be able to showcase how important Montgomery County is in the state and the country and what we have to contribute.”

Points of interest in the documentary included the marble, grand staircase of the courthouse, the Swede Street façade of the courthouse and the five historical murals in courtrooms A through F which were painted by Lower Merion artist George M. Harding.

“I was thrilled to learn that the murals were painted by a Montgomery County artist, that the marble is from a Montgomery County quarry and that some of the folks depicted in the videos are local historical figures,” said Willingham, referring to historical facts she learned during the filming process.

The murals depict the first session of county court held in 1784 and highlight such themes as education, transportation and commerce in the county. Nicholas, with a soothing voice in the documentary, described the murals and explained their historical significance.

Standing in the shadows of the six Ionic columns of the front portico of the Swede Street entrance to the courthouse, Nicholas discussed the history of the structure, which was designed by architect Napoleon LeBrun.

Shapiro also was filmed discussing the significance of the original, now vacant, county jail, located just east of the courthouse on Airy Street, which was completed in 1854 and was also designed by LeBrun.

“Realize that that entire thing was unscripted. Both gentlemen spoke off the top of their heads and it was usually done in the first take. That was extremely impressive,” Michael R. Kehs, the county’s court administrator since 1999, said as the crowd applauded the star qualities that flowed from Nicholas and Shapiro on screen.

Shapiro summed up the importance of the documentary.

“I think if we have a better appreciation and understanding of our history, then we’ll have a better sense of who we are today and where we’re going as a county. As Pennsylvania’s third largest county, boasting a rich history with important figures…and a beautiful courthouse that has so much extraordinary history in it, it’s important that we understand where we were and where we’re going,” Shapiro said.